It was a carnival atmosphere on Wednesday in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Council Secretariat as the Executive Chairman Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Council Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola empowered over 500 women and men both indigene and no-indigene residents of Ajegunle in the AJIF Annual Empowerment Program.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, Hon. Ayoola asserted that it was important his administration continue with the empowerment of both the youths and liberate the women in the grassroots.
The Council Boss noted that “the unemployment rate which stood at 23.1 percent of the workforce in the third quarter of 2019 in Nigeria, according to Reuters, is quite alarming and should serve as a reference point for urgent consideration and strategic solutions, starting from the grassroots.
“Also, the literacy rate among women in Nigeria was reported at 49.68 percent in 2015, according to World Bank collection of development indicators.
“In view of the above indicators, we consider it expedient to curb this societal menace in the grassroots”.
“Hence my administration’s plan in setting-up of AJIF Small and Medium scale Enterprise and yearly empowerment programs for the people of Ajegunle.”
On the aspect of entrepreneurs who benefitted from the N100,000. largesse, Hon. Ayoola said that his administration had provided platforms for beneficiaries to be trained and guided on how to invest the money received and make proper decisions.
“In order to empower the youths and liberate our women in Ajegunle, my administration has provided various financial platforms that would train and educate entrepreneurs and women in general on financial literacy. This would also enable them to understand the various investment plans that are available to the level of their small and medium scale businesses they operate,” he read.
Making her remark, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, advised those who benefitted from the annual empowerment to utilize what they got wisely.
“Those of you who benefitted from the N100,000. entrepreneurship grant must ensure to invest the money wisely in your business,” she added.
She also commended Hon. Ayoola for organizing an annual event of such magnitude as she promised that her ministry in Alausa would work with the grassroots government in order to liberate more women and youths from business and financial obscurity.
Chairman APC Lagos State, Hon. Tunde Balogun praised the administration of Hon. Fatai Ayoola, for organizing event of such magnitude. He also advised that the grassroots government must integrate their administrative duties in line with Lagos State government.
He said: “Local governments must perform their statutory obligations of clearing the drain channels and providing road infrastructures for the people.”
The highlights of the event include presentation of N100, 000. cash gifts to 30 persons under the entrepreneurship grants.
Also, Ba’ale of Aiyetoro, Araromi and Dankaka community, including some members of Executives and Legislators went home with Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV).
Other items shared includes 15 tricycles, 40 refrigerators, 20 deep freezers, 15 hair dryers, 15 motor bikes, 50 sewing machines, 15 vulcanizing machines and 15 grinding machines.
Also, Mac Anthony Anaelechukwu, Director of Sports in AJIF LGA and Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo who is the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, were presented with a car each.
The event which was attended by top government personnel from Lagos State was led by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada and Lagos State All Progressive Congress (APC) party chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun.
Also in attendance were His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Fatai Aremu Oyeyinka, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom. Apex leader, Lagos-West Senatorial District, Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul, former Special Adviser on rural development to Governor Raji Fashola (SAN), former Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, former Executive Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Chief Sam Adeyemi, Chairman, APC AJIF local government area, party leaders in Ajegunle and so many other invited guests.
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who is a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was also in attendance. His cameo appearance stole the show towards the end of the event. As he was made to present a refrigerator to one of the beneficiaries.
Hon Fatai Ayoola was later presented with the Lagos Panorama Sustainable Development Goals Award for his contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals which include poverty alleviation for members of his constituent and his immense support for the Lagos Community Soccer Challenge (BOS Cup 2019) played in April this year when Ajegunle played host to one of the divisional qualifiers and his other developmental projects.
The President Community Media Practitioners Association (COMPASS) of Nigeria and Publisher/Editor Lagos Panorama Tayo Aderinola stated that the Lagos Panorama Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Grassroots Awards is to identify truly meaningful grass-root developmental efforts by persons, Local governments, non-profit organizations and companies”.
Aderinola noted that “the Editorial Board in acknowledgment of the multi-faceted achievements of the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State created in the year 2003 by the visionary leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, resolved to spotlight 10 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS with outstanding performance in achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the last 2 years of local government administration in Lagos State”.
Hon Fatai Ayoola in his response as a recipient of the Lagos Panorama SDG Grassroots Award expressed his appreciation to Lagos Panorama “on behalf of myself and the good people of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government I say thank you to Lagos Panorama for this honour bestowed on me”.
“I want to tell you that it will go a long way in defining our relationship. I am really honoured and I give GOD the glory for this worthy recognition. The little we are doing is recognised and been honoured I really feel blessed. I am short of words to express how I am elated with this recognition award and this will really inspire us to do more for our people. Thank you so much” words of gratitude for Lagos Panorama by the Executive Chairman Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo in his vote of thanks also expressed his gratitude to the Lagos Panorama Editorial for the recognition and award to the Cha
